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The Arizona Cardinals reached an agreement in principle on a one-year deal with former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Bruce Arians, the Cardinals' coach, was at one time Mendenhall's offensive coordinator with the Steelers.

Mendenhall had led the Steelers in rushing for three straight seasons before a disappointing 2012 season marred by injuries and a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

He was suspended for a game in December for not attending a loss to the Chargers after he found out he wouldnt dress for the game. He also was inactive for two games after fumbling twice on four carries in a loss to the Browns.

Mendenhall also was slowed last season by injuries. He tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 17 of the 2011 season and didn't return until Oct. 4 of last season. His return didn't last long, though, as he strained his right Achilles four days later.

The 25-year-old running back has rushed for 3,549 yards and 29 touchdowns in 57 career games.

The Cardinals last week released running back Beanie Wells.

The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Wells was envisioned as a power running back to anchor Arizona's offense but injuries and inconsistent play kept him from being a consistent threat. He had only three 100-yard rushing games in his four seasons in the desert.

A 1-year deal indicates it's a prove-it deal. If he goes out and somehow stays healthy, reduces his fumbles, toes the line and produces, he can maybe turn over into one final deal with some guaranteed money while he is still young.

We'll see what happens. For whatever reason (I think it was partly the childish way Tomlin treats fumblers), Mendenhall never fit in here. He butted heads with Tomlin a lot. Mendenhall (a little like Roethlisberger) was always smart enough to think he knew it all, but not quite smart enough for that to be true or to know when to keep quiet.

It's a big disappointment for a 1st round pick, maybe one of Colbert's worst of the decade. We'll just have to wait and see if the 2nd phase of his career provides any real redemption.

I remember the elation on the boards when he was chosen. Nobody thought he'd fall to us. Then there were those that wanted to cut FWP immediately because RM was already a better back coming out of college. He showed flashes, but most of the time was just OK. I wish him well out there. I don't know that running against SF and Seattle will be any easier than Baltimore and Cincy were.